Excerpted from Chapter 13 of Boot Camp: Equipping Men with Integrity for Spiritual Warfare:
In the heat of hand-to-hand combat when soldiers fought with clubs, pieces of chain, swords, and axes, helmets that gave secure protection to the head were invaluable. Made of thick leather or brass and capped with plates of metal to cover the temples and forehead, ancient helmets were often ornately decorated with engravings and crowned with a plume or a crest that clearly identified who a soldier who and to whom his allegiance had been pledged.
The soldier who fights for the King of kings is instructed to “take the helmet of salvation” (Eph 6.17). Just as a helmet was accepted by a soldier from the hands of the officer in charge of supply and distribution, salvation is a gift. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph 2.8-9).
As citizens of the kingdom of heaven, we’ve been reconciled to God through the gift of his Son. We “who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Eph 2.13). The time has come, therefore, to take up the helmet of salvation and unashamedly declare our allegiance to the King. “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery” (Gal 5.1). Turn your back on selfishness. Run away from the darkness of sexual immorality. Renounce idolatry. Reject jealousy and anger. Bridle your tongue and cast off hypocrisy. Hold your head high as you receive your helmet of salvation and advance the cause of holiness with courage. Refuse to remove your helmet! What reason is there to give up when the victory of our God has already been assured?
______________________Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
_________________________you preserve my life;
______________________you stretch out your hand against
_________________________the wrath of my enemies,
_________________________and your right hand delivers me.
______________________The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me;
_________________________your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever.
_________________________Do not forsake the work of your hands. (Psa 138.7-8)
(Boot Camp: Equipping Men with Integrity for Spiritual Warfare, pg. 226-227)
Come back next Monday as this series of posts on the armor of God continues:
- The Armor of Holiness (1)
- The Belt of Truth
- The Breastplate of Righteousness
- The Shoes of Readiness
- The Shield of Faith
- The Helmet of Salvation
- The Sword of the Spirit
- Arming Ourselves in Prayer
Excerpted from Chapter 13 of Boot Camp: Equipping Men with Integrity for Spiritual Warfare:
Shoes were an essential element of the Roman soldier’s panoply. Equipped with sharp metal spikes beneath, these battle-ready sandals enabled a soldier to walk over all sorts of sloping and slippery terrain quickly and effectively. The Romans prided themselves on their ability to routinely move farther and faster than their enemies. Opposing armies were frequently caught off guard, having deceived themselves into thinking that they had plenty of time to prepare an adequate defense. In fact, more than one historian has noted that the Romans were so overwhelmingly successful as conquerors for so long at least partially because of their superior footwear.
The Spirit uses this familiar figure in his instructions for the soldier of God’s kingdom. “As shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace” (Eph 6.15). In contrast to the enemy who is caught barefooted and unaware, the soldier whose feet have been shod, or literally, underbound, is adequately prepared for battle. So also, our own feet are to be prepared to defend and conquer. Perhaps it would be tempting for a soldier who had endured a long, forced march to leave his belt and breastplate on, but slip his shoes off for a moment of relaxation. Spiritually speaking, God urges us to be always ready. Temptations are relentless. Trials are fierce. The work is neverending. Entire lives can be forever altered in a moment. If the soldier of the cross is unprepared to deal with the triumphs and tragedies of his earthly pilgrimage, he will be defeated.
The sense of readiness which is needed for the battles ahead will not come via our own ingenuity, intellect, or willpower. It is “given by the gospel” or good news “of peace.” Remember the divine promise that we ran across as we entered God’s armory. “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” As Christians, we have discovered peace with the holy God. No longer must be run in fear or hide in shame from our Creator. Through the sacrifice of our great King and high priest, we are sanctified children of God who are encouraged to “come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb 4.16, NKJV).
Paul’s message to the Ephesian Christians—and to us—is to stand at attention and remain steadfast! Live as men who are grounded in the good news that you are at peace with God. Rejoice in the blessed assurance of forgiveness. Exult in the fulfillment which comes from obedience. Confidently look forward to the guaranteed glorious triumph. Our Father has pledged that he will never leave us nor forsake us. “So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’” (Heb 13.6)
Such is the epitome of inner peace. Though the battle may rage in any number of ways all around me, I have dedicated myself to following the Prince of Peace (Isa 9.6). Though I am free from the shackles of sin, I am not free to run in whatever direction I choose. I always remember that I am not my own. As Paul reminded the Christians in Galatia, “You were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (Gal 5.13).
As disciples of Jesus, we are to seek the preparation that comes through the gospel of peace. We are to be “ready for every good work” (Tit 3.1). It’s one thing to read that commandment, but what does it look like, practically speaking?
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Rom 12.9-21)
That commission is harder to fulfill than storming and securing the beaches of Normandy. If you don’t believe that, you need to read it again. It takes preparation. It requires willpower. It demands that my love for the Lord and my fellow man exceed even my love for myself. It’s hard. But it’s the call of the gospel of peace.
The man of integrity is able to say, “I can rejoice in my Lord always. My reasonableness can be shown to everyone. I can be a peacemaker. I can remember who the real Enemy is. I can respond to anger with kindness. I can endure insults with gentleness. I can react to unjust criticism with mercy and forgiveness. I can walk in peace. My greatest desire is to see other people experience the peace of God in their own hearts. I no longer have to be consumed by anxiousness. I can find reasons for thanksgiving in the most difficult of circumstances. In everything, by prayer and supplication, I can make my requests known to my God. Why? How? The peace of God which surpasses all understanding is guarding my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus. In the power of the glorified Son of God, I can stand firm. Though outwardly the war may rage, inwardly the gospel of peace has securely grounded me in the truth and comfort of my Creator.”
Can you honestly say those things as a man of integrity? If not, you have yet to put on the right shoes. You are unprepared for the battle ahead.
(Boot Camp: Equipping Men with Integrity for Spiritual Warfare, pg. 222-225)
Come back next Monday as this series of posts on the armor of God continues:
- The Armor of Holiness (1)
- The Belt of Truth
- The Breastplate of Righteousness
- The Shoes of Readiness
- The Shield of Faith
- The Helmet of Salvation
- The Sword of the Spirit
- Arming Ourselves in Prayer
Excerpted from Chapter 13 of Boot Camp: Equipping Men with Integrity for Spiritual Warfare:
The soldier’s breastplate protects the upper half of his body, from the neck to the thighs. In the times of Roman rule, breastplates were usually made of rings or plates of brass. Like the scales of a fish, the brass pieces were fastened together so that the armor was flexible in battle, while still guarding the soldier’s vital organs from swords, spears, and arrows.
It’s no mistake that the Spirit’s instruction to “fasten on the belt of truth” is followed by the encouragement to “put on the breastplate of righteousness” (Eph 6.14). In the word of his truth, our Creator has defined that which is right and that which is wrong. He has established the boundaries of what is acceptable and unacceptable for his creation. He has provided wisdom so that his image-bearers might “walk in the way of the good and keep the path of the righteous” (Prov 2.20). Those paths have been traveled for thousands of years by men of integrity, moral uprightness, holiness, and character. The way of the good is the way of virtue—in quality and in practice.
Remember that our Creator desires to stamp his own image deep on our hearts. His intention is that godliness and integrity would become a natural part of who we are. When we, in humility, allow God to define the standard by which every thing will be measured as “right,” we arm ourselves with holy vests that cannot be penetrated by even the strongest of the Enemy’s weapons. Once again, Satan cannot rip the breastplate of righteousness from you, but you can decide to rebelliously lay it down and willfully walk into the camp of darkness.
To put on the breastplate of righteousness, therefore, is to dedicate yourself to a life of self-control. Like the soldier who accepts the weight and constraints of bulky armor, the disciple of Christ consents to live within the boundaries of self-denial and submission to God’s standard of righteousness. The soldiers of this world do so to protect themselves from the outward dangers of battle. The Christian does so protect himself from himself.
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. (Rom 6.12-13)
Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God. (1 John 3.7-10)
Just as wicked King Ahab was killed by an arrow that struck him “between the scale armor and the breastplate” (1 Kings 22.34), a lack of honesty and integrity leaves soldiers of Christ critically exposed to the assaults of Satan. There is no earthly substitute for humble obedience in the sight of God. He expects practical, daily righteousness on the part of the redeemed. He calls us to live in harmony with what is right in his sight. Each image-bearer is summoned to mold his own beliefs, opinions, attitudes, thoughts, and behaviors into a living imitation of the Creator’s expectations.
If we are to successfully survive the attacks of the wicked one, we must recognize and address the breaches of personal weakness and compromise. We don’t stand a chance against the cosmic powers of darkness while selfishly clinging to the lusts of the flesh. As long as sin reigns in our mortal bodies, there are gaps in our panoply. We may describe ourselves as fully-devoted followers, but we have been deceived. We are continuing to tolerate sin in our lives and the devil has us right where he wants us.
Remember the call! It is time to “cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” Leave no unguarded place! Recognize and address the weaknesses of your character. “Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (1 Pet 5.5). Seek our the strength which only he can supply. Reform your standards of living so that they reflect his. And having done all, washed in the atoning blood of the Lamb and clothed in accordance with his righteousness, you can resist the advances of Satan, standing firm in your faith.
(Boot Camp: Equipping Men with Integrity for Spiritual Warfare, pg. 220-222)
Come back next Monday as this series of posts on the armor of God continues:
- The Armor of Holiness (1)
- The Belt of Truth
- The Breastplate of Righteousness
- The Shoes of Readiness
- The Shield of Faith
- The Helmet of Salvation
- The Sword of the Spirit
- Arming Ourselves in Prayer
Excerpted from Chapter 13 of Boot Camp: Equipping Men with Integrity for Spiritual Warfare:
“Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth” (Eph 6.14). The typical Roman soldier of the first century wore a loose, flowing tunic that was cinched around the waist by a wide leather belt. A soldier’s belt served as the foundational piece of his entire panoply, holding his sword in place, supporting him in battle, and binding the rest of his armor together. A leather apron hung from the belt to protect the soldier’s abdomen and groin. No soldier would ever willingly press the battle without this piece of armor. To enter into conflict without a belt was to be unarmed, and therefore vulnerable.
So also, no soldier of the cross can successfully engage the present darkness without being supported by and tied together with truth—truth as defined by the Creator. Truth serves as our Field Manual in the battle for the destiny of our souls. Whenever we have lost our way, it is truth that leads us back to the slopes of spiritual Currahee.
__________Send out your light and your truth;
_______________let them guide me.
__________Let them lead me to your holy mountain,
_______________to the place where you live. (Psa 43.3, NLT)
What is truth? Truth is reality as revealed by the God who made us. Truth is irrefutable and irreproachable consecrated fact. It is the truth of Jesus that makes us free to fight in the first place (John 8.32). Truth is powerful. It is solid and impenetrable. “Sanctify them in the truth,” was Jesus’ prayer for his disciples. “Your word is truth” (John 17.17).
Truth is what ties all of the aspects of spiritual success together. Like the soldier’s belt, it is the foundational piece of our armor. God has fashioned, defined, and unveiled truth; our responsibility is to recognize it and fasten it around ourselves so that we might always be reminded to act, talk, and live as men of truth.
Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ. (Eph 4.15)
Having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. (Eph 4.25)
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. (Eph 5.6)
Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. (Eph 5.8-11)
The King James Version of the Scriptures translates the Spirit’s instructions in Ephesians 6.14 as “having your loins girt about with truth.” Historically, such literally had to do with protecting the pelvic region. To “gird the loins” during the Roman Era meant to draw-up and tie the lower garments between one’s legs in order to increase mobility and agility. It prevented the loose ends of the tunic from becoming snagged on something or entangled with one’s feet. As a soldier, anything that would prevent stumbling or falling down completely was worth the effort.
With those cultural notes in mind, the Spirit’s timeless message is plain. Make the effort now to tie up any loose ends that could cause you to stumble or fall in the daily spiritual battle! Be sharp, alert, and ready to respond to temptation with mobility and agility. As Peter instructed, “gird up the loins of your mind” (1 Pet 1.13, KJV). Literally, prepare your mind for action.
Think about it. When and where does all sin begin? Is it when a sinful thought or image first enters our minds, or when we choose to continue thinking on, fantasizing about, and entertaining the sin? The answer lies with the difference between temptation and transgression. Generally speaking, we have little, if any control over the temptations we run across on the battlefield. But we are in complete control of our responses to temptation. We can choose to indulge the sinful passions of the flesh, or we can redirect our minds to the revealed truth of God, just as our King demonstrated. Think back to the devil’s temptations of Jesus in the wilderness.
“If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written….” (Matt 4.4)
“If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down.” …Jesus said to him, “Again, it is written….” (Matt 4.6-7)
“All these (the kingdoms of the world and their glory) I will give you, if you fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written….” (Matt 4.8-10)
Jesus’ strategy isn’t hard to pick out, is it? The fiery darts of the wicked one were met and defeated with the words of truth. The recorded instructions of God and a ready mind of compliance were Jesus’ first line of defense.
Now those instructions have been passed on to you and me. War is upon us whether we would risk it or not. Temptations will come whether we seek them or not. When they do, the only question is whether the Scriptures will have been wrapped around our hearts to the point that our knowledge of the Creator’s intentions will shape our first responses. Or, will we allow the tempter’s seductions to lead us away from the ranks of the redeemed? Satan cannot take God’s truth away from you, but you can decide to remove it from your thinking.
“Stay dressed for action [literally, Let your loins stay girded] and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes.” (Luke 12.35-37)
Truth has been made available. What a blessing that we can so freely hold it in our hands! Our entire lives can be built upon its foundations. But truth will aid us in the eternal conflict only when it is known. We must study it. We must meditate upon it. We must constantly challenge and evaluable ourselves in its light. We must candidly and transparently apply it. The more time we spend in honest reflection on the truth, the better equipped we will be to fight the battles ahead.
“We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers” (1 Thes 4.13), because being uninformed can cost us everything. At the dawn of every day, prepare yourself to guard and defend the most vulnerable areas of your life. Don’t wait for the Enemy’s strike in order to prepare for battle. Surround yourself, wrap your mind in God’s truth while there is still time!
(Boot Camp: Equipping Men with Integrity for Spiritual Warfare, pg. 217-220)
Come back next Monday as this series of posts on the armor of God continues:
- The Armor of Holiness (1)
- The Belt of Truth
- The Breastplate of Righteousness
- The Shoes of Readiness
- The Shield of Faith
- The Helmet of Salvation
- The Sword of the Spirit
- Arming Ourselves in Prayer
Excerpted from Chapter 13 of Boot Camp: Equipping Men with Integrity for Spiritual Warfare:
The LORD has opened his armory and brought out the weapons of
his wrath, for the Lord GOD of hosts has a work to do. (Jer 50.25)
The Lord’s armory stands before us. We’ve noted and carefully reflected on the ancient words etched above its door.
BE STRONG IN THE LORD
AND IN THE STRENGTH OF HIS MIGHT
Ephesians 6.10
As we humbly and reverently take our last steps in the Boot Camp of the King of kings, we notice the Holy Spirit’s timeless admonition engraved along the walls of the armory’s corridor.
The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4.5-7)
God has very plainly promised to do his part. He is faithful. Not only is salvation from sin and forgiveness of past betrayals available to each image-bearer, but indescribable peace in the midst of future trials is accessible. Even the hearts and minds of the soldiers of the cross can be securely guarded in Jesus. God is faithful.
Now he urges us to do what only we can do. Each one must individually determine to be strong in the strength which the Lord supplies. The means provided for fallible men to access and exhibit God’s strength is a full suit of spiritual armor forged in the fires of pure and holy glory. “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil” (Eph 6.11).
Note carefully the instructions that come with entrance to the armory. God’s strength is not some magical force that will somehow mysteriously envelop the warrior of truth. We’ve not been left the luxury of sitting back and expecting our King to singlehandedly deliver us from the Destroyer of men’s souls without any effort of our own. We are called to take up God’s holy armor and prepare for battle! Now is the time to be on high alert, constantly watching for potential attacks. War has already been declared on each of our spirits. We must answer the call, take up the whole armor of God, find our place in the line of holiness, and courageously engage the spiritual forces of evil.
How foolish to wait for the attacks of the Enemy before we would ever prepare for battle! If we fail, we cannot accuse our Father of failing to stand by us or neglecting to provide for our needs. If we fail, the failure is ours. Our Father has revealed his eternal plan of redemption. His Son has paid the price to free penitent prisoners of war from bondage. The Holy Spirit has led us to the armory of God. Every element that is necessary to overwhelmingly conquer has been made available. We’ve reached the end of this Boot Camp experience, now it’s up to us to put on the armor of light.
You know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. (Rom 13.11-12)
War is upon us. If we wait to prepare, we don’t stand a chance.
(Boot Camp: Equipping Men with Integrity for Spiritual Warfare, pg. 215-216)
Come back next Monday as this series of posts on the armor of God continues:
- The Belt of Truth
- The Breastplate of Righteousness
- The Shoes of Readiness
- The Shield of Faith
- The Helmet of Salvation
- The Sword of the Spirit
- Arming Ourselves in Prayer
My thanks to the readers who’ve sent links to the article below that was recently printed in the National Review. It was written by an anonymous female psychologist who lives with her five children in Virginia.
I’ve recently spoken out in a new book about the challenge of defeating sexual temptation from a Biblical point-of-view, and I continue to be encouraged by the positive and constructive feedback. In recent weeks, I’ve especially been encouraged to hear that several summer camps are planning to use the material in appropriate forums. While obviously a difficult and sensitive subject to address, it is not a subject we can afford to ignore. Perhaps something in the book would be helpful to you or someone you know who is presently struggling with this very real temptation.
Here’s an excerpt of the National Review article:
Imagine a drug so powerful it can destroy a family simply by distorting a man’s perception of his wife. Picture an addiction so lethal it has the potential to render an entire generation incapable of forming lasting marriages and so widespread that it produces more annual revenue—$97 billion worldwide in 2006—than all of the leading technology companies combined. Consider a narcotic so insidious that it evades serious scientific study and legislative action for decades, thriving instead under the ever-expanding banner of the First Amendment.
According to an online statistics firm, an estimated 40 million people use this drug on a regular basis. It doesn’t come in pill form. It can’t be smoked, injected, or snorted. And yet neurological data suggest its effects on the brain are strikingly similar to those of synthetic drugs. Indeed, two authorities on the neurochemistry of addiction, Harvey Milkman and Stanley Sunderwirth, claim it is the ability of this drug to influence all three pleasure systems in the brain—arousal, satiation, and fantasy—that makes it “the pièce de résistance among the addictions.”
I was recently interviewed by Don McCauley on the Christian Authors Show, an online radio program featuring new authors. The interview was centered around my first book, Boot Camp: Equipping Men with Integrity for Spiritual Warfare.
Audio of the interview is currently featured here and will be available through Thursday (April 29).
As a compliment to the radio interview, paperback copies of Boot Camp are on sale for $12 (with FREE shipping). If you’d like to take advantage of this special 2-day sale, send an e-mail with your contact info and the promo code “RADIO SALE” in the subject line to jason@ingodsimage.com. Sale pricing is available through Thursday, April 29.
The new Hymnody section of InGodsImage.com is now available. It includes:
- Sheet music and mp3 clips of Triumphal Entrance and Almighty God Beyond the Veil
- A wide variety of Scripture and Song Service arrangements for AM and PM assemblies
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (Colossians 3:16-17).
I mentioned some very exciting news in a tweet a few weeks ago, but have yet to make a blog post about it. Time to do that now. My first book, Boot Camp: Equipping Men with Integrity for Spiritual Warfare, was nominated in November for the Christian Small Publishers 2010 Book of the Year. To make a long story short, it is one of twelve finalists for the award and online voting to determine the winner is open RIGHT NOW!
Would you please take 60 seconds out of your busy day, click here, and do me the honor of placing a vote? Boot Camp is in the second category down (NONFICTION – CHRISTIAN LIVING) and is the third book down in the second column. Once you’ve made your selection, please BE SURE to scroll to the bottom of the page and click the Submit Votes button.
Thanks! I truly appreciate it. And if you would really like to help, please spread the word!
Here are three more reviews of Hard Core: Defeating Sexual Temptation with a Superior Satisfaction:
We live in the midst of a hyper-sexualized society. We are constantly bombarded by messages flaunting sexuality, encouraging lascivious thoughts, and promoting sexuality and sexual fulfillment as the ultimate goal in life. Life is made very difficult for those who would resist and attempt to reflect God’s values in this society.
Hardin’s Hard Core is a wonderful work of reminder and encouragement to stand up for what is right and true and holy in regards to sexuality. Hardin does well at challenging societal attitudes toward sexuality and the rampant use of pornography, adultery, and general sensuality while strongly affirming the propriety of sexuality and its value in its proper context. Copious Biblical references are cited to warn the reader regarding the dangers of sexual misconduct, to provide examples of sexual immorality committed and refused and their respective consequences, and to encourage believers to focus on making God the ultimate priority of life and not sexuality.
This is a great resource for anyone who is struggling with the idol of sexuality and sensuality in whatever form.
- Ethan Longhenry
In a world where sexual immorality rules and ruins marriages and homes, Jason deals head-on with the single most destructive device of Satan to destroy the lives of Christians everywhere. Hard Core is more than a book about how to deal with these temptations; it’s about making you aware of the warning signs, the startling statistics, and the realization that if you sit back and think everything is okay, then the battle is already lost. Every husband, wife, teenager, and pre-teen—no matter the sex—needs to read this book and understand that Satan has not stopped and will not stop at anything until he wins the heart of every committed Christian.
- Daniel Matthews
I can’t say enough good about this book. Jason addresses sensitive issues in a bold and beneficial way. He allows the Bible to speak by including plenty of Scriptures for the reader’s consideration. Hard Core is a must-read for adults and young people alike. Some might hesitate to introduce such material to young people, but children need to hear the truth about sex before their minds are negatively shaped by society. Even from a young age, the world is bombarding youth with erroneous concepts surrounding this subject. Jason does an exceptional job of handling this topic in a straightforward and respectful manner.
- Brent Moody
Click here for more info on Hard Core: Defeating Sexual Temptation with a Superior Satisfaction.
