#shieldoffaith

Faith is your spiritual shield in life’s battles—protecting your heart against fear, doubt, and discouragement. The shield of faith reminds believers to trust God fully, stand firm in truth, and rely on His promises even when challenges and uncertainty try to shake them. ✨

Discover the 5 characteristics of the Shield of Faith — a powerful spiritual defense that guards, deflects, and strengthens believers against life’s unseen battles.

Read here: https://www.authorjeanwhite.com/the-5-characteristics-of-the-shield-of-faith-explained/

Discover the powerful meaning behind the Shield of Faith and its key characteristics that help believers stand strong against life’s challenges.

We all love to find our loophole in the Bible to justify whatever it is we want to enjoy.

Getting waisted is cool because Jesus drank wine…

Sleeping around is ok so long as you’re respectful…

P**n is fine because it’s not actually adultery, Jesus was talking about the actual act of…

LGBTQ is loved and accepted by God because that’s how he made them…

He made us with anger but we control that, he made us all with desire yet we control greed, he made us with a desire for connection that we twist into lust…

If you’re trying to explain why the Bible is actually ok with “blank”… you’re probably trying to justify your own sin that you full well know is in fact sin.

…. I think the title is a pretty good warning, but let me give another.

This one isn’t going to be fun, or for younger readers. I’m not going to be graphic, but nor am I going to play nice. I’m going to make some blunt points and talk about what I’m really talking about, but with tact I hope.

This isn’t an easy topic to cover—for me or for anyone. If you’re already feeling a bit uncomfortable reading this, I don’t blame you. These days, lust either gets ignored entirely or demonized into silence and shame. Neither approach deals with the problem. In fact, they often make it worse.

That’s why we need to talk about it—even if it’s awkward or uncomfortable.

So, I think one of the biggest questions and confusions is around the fact that God Created us all, man and women, with a strong desire for sex but then seemed to put such a taboo on it. Why did he give us these desires and then make it so hard to fulfill them without sin?

First off let me repeat something I’ve said in the past, God doesn’t fear nor begrudge your questions and confusions, “He’s” ready and waiting to walk you through them all and help you understand, with work and study.

So why did God give us the desire? Well, because every emotion has its place and a corrupted version.

Lust and sex, desire and hunger… all the wrong ways of looking at it. It may sound cheesy or cliche but it’s true and proper form is making love. The deepest, most intimate connection possible, both body and soul. Truly giving yourself, in full, to the partner you have sworn yourself to until death.

If your first thoughts are something like, “that’s so old fashioned,” or “this is a modern world”; or some of the ultra strict who think it’s purely for reproduction as God called us to do, well…

These are corrupted answers, even the strict one. If it was only for reproduction God wouldn’t have made it so pleasurable and given us a strong desire for it. But, he also calls us to be masters of our own minds and desires.

Matthew 5:28 (NKJV)

“But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

“…looks at a woman to lust…”

“Oh wow, she’s beautiful.” That’s not lust, that’s recognizing something God made you to be attracted to. It’s when it keeps growing and your eye starts to roam that it’s something more.

Noticing “she” is showing a lot of cleavage, simply being aware of it, isn’t lust. It’s when you steal glances or your eyes linger that it becomes lust.

But… what if that person is your wife or husband? That’s not adultery, is it? God gave us the desire, and the fit and proper way of expressing it. And that way isn’t about satisfaction or need, it isn’t about lust or desire, it’s about love. As I said, make love not sex. (I know, stupid joke. Haha)

Society loves to say things like “it’s a natural desire,” “love is love,” or “free will.” You probably thought of a few more just now, didn’t you?

It is a natural desire—but haven’t we always tried to rise above our base instincts and live with purpose, not impulse? Not to be too harsh, but that “it’s natural so it’s okay” logic is the mindset of a frat-boy acting on every passing emotion. It’s the bare-bones idea of “I want it, so it must be fine.” That’s not freedom—that’s slavery to the flesh.

Yes, sexual desire is natural—and even God-given at its core—but few things are more easily corrupted. And because of that, this has become one of the most demonized and hidden sins in the Church.

1 Corinthians 6:18 (NKJV)

“Flee sexual immorality. Every sin a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.”

We must flee it, resist it, but no sin is above or bellow another. Sin is sin. So do not be shamed for your failings in this specific sin above the others, but just the same admit and repent, study and pray about it with your Creator, and seek to rise above.

Sex is a gift from God, but there are rules “He” set for it. It is not something to be shamed, embarrassed or afraid of, it’s something to be understood and handled with love, compassion, commitment and care.

It’s awkward… really awkward. But we have to talk about it more. Learn to do it right and normalize it. You can’t fight a problem that’s buried. You can’t heal what you pretend isn’t there.

Genesis 2:24-25 (NKJV)

24- “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become One Flesh.

25- “And they were naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.”

In its proper place there is no shame. In its place, it is something wonderful, intimate, and God given. It’s a gift He has given us, not something He is mad at us for… when done properly.

Now, what about those places where we like to play lawyer? They often come out of some genuine confusion or misunderstanding, but most of the time they become excuses and loopholes we exploit.

I don’t even have to say it, you already know what I’m talking about. More than one such “loophole” just came across your mind, right?

Let me give one final WARNING… this is where we really get into it, and when we can’t entirely avoid the more sensitive and somewhat explicit conversations. I’ll handle it with as much care as I can, but we can’t let politeness and discomfort get in the way of what needs to be addressed.

Proceed with discretion.

“It’s not actually sex, we never actually…”

Where’s the line? Kissing is ok outside of marriage, sex isn’t, but in between the two….?

Opinions on this one vary widely, and I admit I am no counselor nor expert, I can only offer things as I see them and as I have understood The Word.

Now, the bottom line question is, where is that line? Or, should it be, what honors God? If we’re looking for the line we’re really looking for what we can get away with. Or what we think we can talk our way out of.

We’re good at that, we sinful humans. Each and every one of us, so don’t beat yourself up because you certainly aren’t alone.

It’s the Mind Game, it’s the Helmet of Salvation. Stop thinking about what I want, what I need or gratification, stop thinking about desire and start thinking about the deeper reality. All that other stuff is surface level and hollow when that’s all there is, but when it’s a result of something far more pure, loving, intimate and sacred?

2 Corinthians 10:5 (NKJV)

“Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”

“Casting down arguments…” like our favorite loopholes.

“…And every high thing that exalts itself against the Knowledge of God…” so, if it is Written, if He spoke it, you cannot change it.

“…bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.” The Mind Game I have been known to talk about. Taking dominance over our own thoughts, feelings and actions.

Where’s the Line? Why don’t you pray and ask Him… I think his answer just might be something to the point of “you already know the answer.”

“It’s not objectifying them if they chose to show…”

Stop. Just stop. You already know what I’m gonna say. It seems logical, they did indeed make the choice themselves, and that’s between them and God… but I made my choice too, and that’s between me and God.

If you’re looking, or watching, for pleasure… we know what it is. It’s treating our own bodies, and the bodies of others, as objects of pleasure. It’s purely about selfish desire. There is no love, no humility, no honor… no Reverence for anyone.

No reverence for God, no reverence for this person being objectified, and no reverence for ourselves.

What exactly does it mean to revere something? To respect it, sure, but it’s more than that isn’t it? And not just a deep respect, it’s not just about admiring fine work or quality character, it’s even deeper than that.

Reverence is… almost a mix of respect, love, honor, trust… It’s not just a single emotion or act, it’s a bigger concept that is hard to pin down to words. But… doesn’t mean we can’t try, right?

…

Well… I think “He” might have just hit me with it..

…

…

Reverence is the deepest respect to the point of awe and being completely humbled.

To approach something with reverence means to treat it with the complete humility that comes from being in awe, with absolute respect, and the love of a guardian.

Let me highlight “the love of a guardian.” Christ calls us to love, as He loves the Church. So much so that He died to protect us, to “guard” us from the punishment of our sin. That’s the love of a Guardian.

This loophole is one, I believe, we really do already know the answer to. At least on some level, we just need to take the time to talk about it, think it through, study The Word and pray.

Talk about it… we have to stop letting the shame and embarrassment, the taboo that has built around this, prevent us from covering this topic just as we would for every other matter in our lives that bear reflection and growth. (In its proper place of course, lol)

It’s rather simple, but it’s not exactly easy is it? Well… easy doesn’t make you grow, now does it? But always remember, we fight From victory, not for it. Christ already won.

“…It’s a God given desire, it’s natural…”

I’ve already talked a bit about this, but let’s really get into it.

Yeah, it is a natural desire that every last one of us struggle with. Man or women, we all fall to this sin at some point or another, but that doesn’t make it ok. At some point or another we all fall to anger, at some point or another we each struggle with pride or greed. We all struggle, we all fall, we all sin. That doesn’t excuse the fall, it just means we have to get back up yet again.

We learn early on that we need to build self control over our emotions, restraint over the worst impulses, power over our own thoughts and failings. We have to learn control over ourselves or we become empty, nothing more than impulse driven animals.

Harsh? Yeah, a little bit. But am I wrong? This is something we start learning at around two years old, something that we all know but as the nuance grows, as life becomes ever more complicated and those emotions grow beyond what kids experience… we start playing lawyer. We start finding those excuses why we don’t have to restrain them, why it’s ok to do whatever fleeting emotion draws us to.

Is it ok to hit someone because anger is natural? Is it ok to steal because greed is human nature? Is it okay to go to war and take others resources because of our own needs?

James 1:13-15 (NKJV)

13- “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.

14- “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.

15- “Then, when desire has Conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full grown, brings forth death.”

“…nor does He Himself tempt anyone…”

He doesn’t tempt anyone… so no, it’s not a God given desire, it’s the corrupted version of what He gave us. Just as He gave us anger for the extreme moment to get past fear and get the adrenaline pumping, but not as a weapon against any who displease us. This is “legalese” for shifting the blame from yourself and onto God. We are great at justifying ourselves no matter what, aren’t we?

“…But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.”

So… it’s not temptation? You haven’t given in, in full, to temptation until you stop trying and are enticed.

Thinking about it and then catching yourself, then putting yourself in check… that was being tempted. It’s not sin until you are enticed, until you make the realization… and don’t put yourself in check. That’s when it becomes sin.

It’s all a Mind Game, the spiritual war. You have the little demon on one shoulder (Lust, or whatever may be tempting you), or even the actual enemy whispering in your ear.

In writing this I’ve been sending parts to friends for review… one of them admitted he’d been dragging his heels on getting to it and blamed a demon for blocking him. He thought the demon was stopping him because he knew he had his own struggles with this issue.

I gave a somewhat simple answer. “Who knows, could be a demon but all he can do is whisper in your ear. You make the choice. Slap ‘em down.”

The desire that truly is God-given is for Love, connection, intimacy, and making love is the deepest form of that when done right and with reverence. Reverence for God, your partner and yourself, and for the act itself. Notice I didn’t mention hunger, need or lust?

Reclaimer

Proverbs 5:18-19 (NKJV)

18- “And let the fountain be blessed, and rejoice with the wife of your youth.

19- “As a loving deer and a graceful doe, let her breasts satisfy you at all times; and always be enraptured with her love.”

Even the Bible itself got a little bit graphic about this, and not in judgment but celebration.

“…As a loving deer and graceful doe, let her breasts satisfy you at all times; and always be enraptured with her love.”

As loving and graceful… let her breasts satisfy you. That’s a bit “to the point” wouldn’t you say? This shows even physical desire, in its proper place and time, is perfectly good and honored by God.

There. Is. No. Shame.

Even when respected and done right, sex can still be treated as a taboo topic for the Church and Christian’s. And I think the confusion around it comes from it being one of the strongest, most luring and appealing sins there is. And we’re afraid of it, often even in marriage.

That’s fear, and the only “fear” God wants you to experience is the fear of God himself.

That’s confusion, because this is both a complicated topic and at the same time kind of simple when we learn to let it be.

That’s the corrupted desires starting to come through and our legalistic mind kicking in.

1 Corinthians 7:2-5 (NKJV)

2- “Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her husband.

3- “Let the Husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband.

4- “The wife Does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.

5- “Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”

“… because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each women…”

Because of Lust, in both men and women, He tells us to marry so that we may fulfill our desires righteously, where there is no shame.

“…let the husband render to the wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband.”

With reverence for your partner, it is not selfish.

“…The wife does not have authority of her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband doesn’t not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.”

Ok, keep your pants on… (yeah, I know, just let yourself laugh a little) this doesn’t mean your partner has to jump in bed at your command. It means that you have given yourselves to each other, in full, and the body is a part of that. We know by now it’s the smallest part, but it is a part of the conversation.

When you follow the proper path our Creator has laid out there is no shame, there is joy and love. There is intimacy and reverence.

In summery…. Reverence.

Okay world, here I am… Bring it on.

Stop worrying, stop thinking so hard, stop playing games and looking for loopholes. Strap on the Belt of Truth and know His Word has already told you what you need to know.

Put on the Breastplate of Righteousness and be determined in holding to your higher morales, holding to what Christ has for us.

Strap on the Helmet of Salvation and keep that radio handy, talk it through with Him when you’re confused, struggling or when you catch yourself slipping.

Stand behind the Shield of Faith and lean on God. Lean on His Word and teachings, study what Christ said and remember the deeper lessons he taught with his parables.

Wield your Sword of the Spirit by taming your spirit, bring yourself to a deeper understanding through prayer, study, fellowship and reflection then fight back with what you’ve learned.

There is no shame, and there is no sin greater or lesser than another. And there are no loopholes, either. Like anything, do it right and things work out, do it another way… I think we known where that goes.

“Father, Creator, I ask only for understanding. Help me to see what it is you have before me, what it is you would have me hear. And grant me the strength and courage to do as you ask of me.”